The Open Aurignacian Project. Volume 1: Grotta di Fumane in northeastern Italy

Overview

This repository contains a large dataset (n = 948) of 3D meshes of different classes of lithic artifacts (blade and bladelet cores, blades, bladelets, flakes, and retouched tools) from the Aurignacian (A2, A1, D6, D3+D6, D3l, D3d base, D3d, D3b alpha, D3b, and D1c) and Gravettian (D1d, D1e, and D1f) units at Fumane Cave in northeastern Italy (see Bartolomei et al., 1992). The Upper Paleolithic sequence spans from about 41 to 33 ky cal BP (Higham et al., 2009) and several studies have focused on the lithic technology (Bertola et al., 2013; Broglio et al., 2005; Falcucci et al., 2017; Falcucci, 2018; Falcucci & Peresani, 2018; Falcucci et al., 2018; Falcucci et al., 2020). The importance of the site for understanding the earliest phases of the Upper Paleolithic in Mediterranean Europe is well acknowledged (Conard & Bolus, 2015). Recently, all complete blades and bladelets from the best-preserved area of the cave (i.e., the external area of the excavation) were 3D-scanned using a protocol that relies on both Micro-CT and Artec Spider scanners (Göldner et al., 2022). Our main goal was to conduct a geometric morphometric assessment of the laminar products and test hypotheses related to stone tool production and, more broadly, past human behavior (Falcucci et al., 2022; Falcucci & Peresani, 2022). Furthermore, all core types have been scanned throughout the years of research at the site with an Artec Spider. We hope that this open-access repository will encourage archaeologists to conduct more collaborative and comparative studies across academic institutions, enhancing Open Science practices in archaeological sciences.

Description of the dataset

This repository includes the following components:

RF_3D_Meshes.zip: A compressed folder containing 3D models in PLY format.

RF_3D_Dataset.csv: A metadata CSV file with detailed attributes for each artifact.

Each artifact has been assigned a unique identifier in the format "RF.b" (for blanks and tools) and "RF.c" (for cores) followed by a sequential number, allowing for cross-referencing with the techno-typological data presented in related publications.

The CSV file includes the following metadata attributes:

ID: Unique identifier for each artifact (e.g., "RF.c_6").

Scanner: Identifies the scanner used (Artec Spider or Micro-CT).

Unit: Stratigraphic origin (e.g., A2, A1, D3b.alpha).

Raw_material: Categorization by raw material (e.g., Maiolica, Scaglia Variegata, Scaglia Rossa).

Class: Broad artifact class (e.g., Blank, Core, Core-Tool, Tool).

Blank: Detailed blank classification (Blade, Bladelet, Flake).

Technology: Technological classification (e.g., Initialization, Maintenance, Optimal, Semi-cortical, Other).

Cortex: Estimated percentage of cortex coverage (0%, 1–33%, 33–66%, 66–99%, 100%).

Preservation: Breakage classification for blanks (e.g., Complete, Distal, Mesial, Proximal, Undetermined). For cores and most core-tools, preservation is marked as "Other".

Volume: Artifact volume in cubic millimeters.

Surface: Artifact surface area in square millimeters.

Length, Width, Thickness: Maximum linear dimensions in millimeters based on technological orientation.

Core_classification: Technological categories for cores and core-tools (e.g., Carinated, Multi-platform, Narrow-sided, Semicircumferential).

What's new in this release (Version 3.0.0)

In this new version, I have reworked all 3D models of cores and core-tools to enhance their overall quality and improve analysis. This was accomplished using Artec Studio Professional software by adjusting the settings for Global Registration and, in particular, Sharp Fusion. These changes mainly affect models with IDs starting with "RF.c". This change was applied only to the PLY files, while the WRL files were not included in this release. The WRL files can be downloaded from previous versions of this repository.

Research and Usage Notes

Users are encouraged to consult the GitHub repository associated with the main publication on the Aurignacian sequence at Grotta di Fumane for further techno-typological data and analytical resources. This dataset is intended to foster open collaboration and reproducibility in lithic analysis, aligning with best practices in archaeological research.

Licensing and Citation

Please ensure that this dataset is properly cited in any research or publication that utilizes it. Detailed licensing and citation information is provided within the dataset documentation.

References

Bartolomei G., Broglio A., Cassoli P. et al. (1992) La Grotte de Fumane. Un site aurignacien au pied des Alpes. Preistoria Alpina, 28: 131-179

Bertola S., Broglio A., Cristiani E. et al. (2013) La diffusione del primo Aurignaziano a sud dell'arco alpino. Preistoria Alpina, 47: 17-30

Broglio A., Bertola S., De Stefani M. et al. (2005) La production lamellaire et les armatures lamellaires de l’Aurignacien ancien de la grotte de Fumane (Monts Lessini, Vénétie). In F. Le Brun-Ricalens (ed.): Productions lamellaires attribuées à l’Aurignacien, pp. 415-436. MNHA, Luxembourg.

Conard N.J. & Bolus M. (2015) Chronicling modern human’s arrival in Europe. Science. doi:10.1126/science.aab0234

Falcucci A., Conard N.J. & Peresani M. (2017) A critical assessment of the Protoaurignacian lithic technology at Fumane Cave and its implications for the definition of the earliest Aurignacian. PLoS One, 12: e0189241. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0189241

Falcucci A. & Peresani M. (2018) Protoaurignacian Core Reduction Procedures: Blade and Bladelet Technologies at Fumane Cave. Lithic Technology 43: 125-140. doi:10.1080/01977261.2018.1439681

Falcucci A. (2018) Towards a renewed definition of the Protoaurignacian. Mitteilungen der Gesellschaft für Urgeschichte, 27: 87-130

Falcucci A., Peresani M., Roussel M. et al. (2018) What’s the point? Retouched bladelet variability in the Protoaurignacian. Results from Fumane, Isturitz, and Les Cottés. Archaeol. Anthropol. Sci., 10: 539-554. doi:10.1007/s12520-016-0365-5

Falcucci A., Conard N.J. & Peresani M. (2020) Breaking through the Aquitaine frame: A re-evaluation on the significance of regional variants during the Aurignacian as seen from a key record in southern Europe. J. Anthropol. Sci., 98: 99-140. doi:10.4436/JASS.98021

Falcucci A., Karakostis F.A., Göldner D. et al. (2022) Bringing shape into focus: Assessing differences between blades and bladelets and their technological significance in 3D form. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 43: 103490. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2022.103490

Falcucci A. & Peresani M. (2022) The contribution of integrated 3D model analysis to Protoaurignacian stone tool design. PLoS One, 17: e0268539. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0268539

Göldner D., Karakostis F.A. & Falcucci A. (2022) Practical and technical aspects for the 3D scanning of lithic artefacts using micro-computed tomography techniques and laser light scanners for subsequent geometric morphometric analysis. Introducing the StyroStone protocol. PLoS One, 17: e0267163. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0267163